Raiders coach Jack Del Rio felt he had to make the difficult decision to fire defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. due to needing to shake things up on a defense which has struggled to rush the passer all season long — once again.

One of the players tasked with getting after the opposing team’s quarterback — who has underperformed himself this season and is on pace for just four sacks — in outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, didn’t take too kindly to Del Rio’s decision, electing to post on Twitter Tuesday precisely how he felt.

When asked how he planned on handling Irvin, or anyone who was upset in the locker room by his firing of Norton, Del Rio explained that he preferred to keep things simple and give his players space.

“Yeah, I don’t try and handle them. I think the biggest thing is to understand the relationship, respect that, give him a little space and then at the end of the day, we’re going to get on with our work. But, I’m human. It wasn’t easy for me either.”

Oakland will take on the reeling Broncos Sunday, Nov. 26 at 1:25 p.m. PT on CBS at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum.